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Posts Tagged ‘Rep. Loebsack’

Cedar Falls, IA – Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today as he traveled with President Obama to Cedar Falls for his announcement on his plans to provide more Americans with access to fast and affordable broadband. Loebsack was recently named to the Communications and Technology Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over broadband issues.

“The future of economic development in Iowa and across the country depends, in large part, on access to the internet and specifically broadband. I have met with many small businesses, farmers, and rural telecommunication companies who have stressed the importance of expanding high speed internet to rural areas. Broadband also gives small and rural schools the power to vastly expand their educational options, providing students with a cutting-edge 21st Century education regardless of geography. Today’s announcement is a necessary step for rural economic development, education, job growth, businesses, farmers, and families

“I was pleased to join President Obama today as he laid out his plan to make sure Iowans and others in rural areas are not left behind. Expanding broadband for all Iowans is critical so that this economic development tool is available for everyone, regardless of where they live.”

“It is unfortunate that Republicans have refused to move any comprehensive jobs legislation to keep jobs from going overseas. A good first start would be an immediate consideration of a long-term transportation bill so American workers can get back to work and the U.S. economic recovery can be further enhanced.” – Rep. Dave Loebsack

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the House voted on the Keystone Pipeline.

“I have long subscribed to the belief that the best course of action regarding energy policy is to move from fossil fuels to renewable forms of energy as quickly and as feasibly as possible. I understand the concerns about the potential impact of the Keystone XL pipeline proposal. At the same time, any decision such as the one regarding Keystone is hardly a simple or easy one to make. Environmental concerns are important, but so are other factors.

“In my mind, one of the most important reasons is the infrastructure jobs that will be created due to the construction of the pipeline. I am fully aware of the short-term nature of the 40,000 plus jobs that will be created by this project. But I cast my vote today in favor of creating these jobs that can’t be shipped overseas and for the countless hardworking men and women who put their hard hats on every morning so that they can put food on the table and help their children pay for college. We have seen Wall Street recover, yet working folks across Iowa and America continue to wait their turn. Our focus must continue to be on improving the economy, getting Americans back to work, and moving our country forward. It is unfortunate that Republicans have refused to move any comprehensive jobs legislation to keep jobs from going overseas. A good first start would be an immediate consideration of a long-term transportation bill so American workers can get back to work and the U.S. economic recovery can be further enhanced.

“Additionally, today’s vote marks only the beginning of the work Congress must do on energy policy during the next session and in the years beyond. First, we must do all we can to reduce carbon at its sources and ensure that polluters bear the costs of their action. This can be done by imposing a carbon fee on the pollution emitted by the use of fossil fuels, with the revenue generated returned to households. We also must extend the Production Tax Credit to continue to spur the generation of wind power, extend the Investment Tax Credit to incentivize the development of solar power, and continue other policies to enable the increased use of other renewable forms of energy. These policies will both protect our environment and create hundreds of thousands of jobs across America. These efforts will continue to move our nation on a path that practically and affordably moves us farther from reliance on fossil fuels and towards significantly more use of renewables.”

Yesterday, Congressman Loebsack sent a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and FCC commissioners calling on the commission to maintain a strong net neutrality policy, to consider banning paid prioritization, and urging reclassification of ISPs as common carriers to ensure that there can be oversight for strong net neutrality rules.

Please take the time to thank Rep. Loebsack for taking a strong stand to protect the free and open internet.

Last week, your Commission advanced a proposal regarding rules governing the open internet. I am deeply concerned about the potential of this proposal to run afoul of a strong net neutrality policy that treats some online content differently by Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

I strongly believe that the internet is a space and a tool that must remain equal to all users. The internet has become more than just a research tool and gathering place, it has become a necessary tool for individuals and businesses to function in our modern society and economy. In many aspects of life, we now have a system that revolves tightly around access to the internet and its ability to perform – for things like education, commerce, medicine and health care, as well as completing government requirements that are increasingly moving online. For each person or business, each use of the internet takes on a different priority and it is critical to provide an equal playing field for all uses.

As this proposal now moves forward and into the public comment phase, it is imperative that you take all options for maintaining a strong net neutrality policy into consideration. I appreciate you soliciting comments specifically on whether paid prioritization should be banned, and I urge you to give serious consideration to reclassifying ISPs as common carriers in order to ensure strong open internet rules.

Unlike many in my cohort of grade school classmates, I stay in touch with my elected officials and have written them on important issues. Dave Loebsack is my U.S. Congressman, I like him, and it’s no secret. Loebsack receives his share of criticism, but I have stuck by him and will for three simple reasons: who he is not, who he is, and who he could be.

Dave Loebsack is not a Republican. His predecessor, Jim Leach was. I had a long constituent relationship with Rep. Leach. He was elected while I was in the military, and my first letter to him in 1980 was about disposal of radioactive nuclear waste during the nuclear freeze movement. Our views met on a lot of issues over the years. Two things turned me against Leach: his participation in the Kenneth Starr investigations during the Clinton administration, and his authorship of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act that repealed part of the Glass Steagall Act. Leach’s role as chairman of the House Banking Committee during Whitewater was the turning point, with repeal of Glass Steagall being the topper.

According to Bill Clinton, “in the House Banking Committee, Chairman Jim Leach… trumpeted every bogus charge against Hillary and me, alleging that we had made, not lost, money on Whitewater, had used Madison Guaranty funds for personal and political expenses, and had engineered David Hale’s SBA fraud. He promised ‘blockbuster’ revelations, but they never materialized.”

I thought it was a ridiculous waste of time that Leach participated in this political witch hunt, and told him so in a letter. By the time I got active in politics again, I felt Leach had to go, and thankfully wasn’t the only one.

Who is Dave Loebsack? His biography is readily available, but from the beginning of my relationship with him, he has been concerned, humble, appreciative and direct in his approach to me and to the political world. This passage from a March 25, 2005 email from Loebsack, in response to my questions about raising money for the campaign and gaining support of the political establishment, depicts what I mean:

“At the moment, I am quite honestly not sure that I can raise tons of money. However, I think my extensive contacts in the area, the state, and beyond give me a much better chance to do so than many past candidates. Therefore, I am trying even now to raise funds in this ‘exploratory’ stage. And I am not afraid to ask for help. Indeed, you may write me a check (to Loebsack Exploratory Committee) and I will deposit it in an account specifically set up for ‘testing the waters.’

I am sure I have not fully eased your mind on these matters, Paul, but I hope this is a good start.”

I don’t receive personal emails from Loebsack anymore, and I’m okay with that because I see him several times a year in a variety of settings. I have a type of accessibility to my congressman that is part and parcel of why we get involved in politics. As one out of 762,000 constituents, that is pretty good.

The third reason I like Dave Loebsack is the most important, what he could be. I don’t know how he got his initial committee assignments, but as far as I’m concerned, his membership on Armed Services and Education and the Workforce made the effort to elect him worth it.

Over the years, I haven’t agreed with all of Loebsack’s votes, especially on Armed Services. At the same time, ordinary citizens like me understand that we do not elect drones to the U.S. Congress, nor do we want to. It is precisely his outlook and process in the congress, combined with his committee assignments, that make him a strong legislator, one who will hopefully serve for many more years. As time goes by, Dave Loebsack will gain seniority on two committees that are critical to the future direction of our country. Committees whose work is important to the lives of everyday citizens where I live.

As we enter the 2014 election cycle, it’s time to stand up and get to work. I know what I’ll be doing– working to re-elect Dave Loebsack to the U.S. Congress.

Dave Loebsack speaks on the floor about his amendment to ensure farmers and rural businesses have continued access to important energy and economic development tools. REAP – Rural Energy for America Program.

I want to thank all of you for your hard work this past week. After the House GOP introduced a budget that is even worse than last year’s budget, you let them know you weren’t going to stand for it.

Thousands of you signed our petition telling House Republicans not to slash Medicare. Thank you for that. But our work isn’t done yet. GOP leadership is bringing that devastating budget to the House floor for a vote tomorrow.

I want to hear from you. As your representative, my first priority is to make sure that the voices of the Second District are heard. My office has received thousands of emails, letters and phone calls about school safety, the need to address mental health issues, and gun safety. Now it is time to talk directly with you. Your input and insight are important to me.

That is why I am holding a telephone town hall on Wednesday, February 13th at 6:00 PM CST. You are invited to save the date, sign up here, and join in a conversation about gun safety, school safety and mental health care.

Thank you for placing your trust and confidence in me to be your voice. I am committed to working for Iowans and look forward to hearing from you about this important topic.Also, feel free to forward this to your family and friends, I want to hear from as many Iowans as possible.

It was four years ago today that the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was signed into law. I am so proud to have helped introduce this bill and even more proud to see it signed into law.

However, five decades after the passage of the Equal Pay Act, women in Iowa still earn only 79 percent of what is earned by their male counterparts. This is just unacceptable. In today’s economy, it is becoming more and more difficult for families to make ends meet. This is not just a gender issue; it’s a family issue. I have always been a champion for equal pay and, while this historic law was a huge step towards true equality for women in the workforce, there is still so much work to be done.

That’s why I am going to continue the fight for equal pay for equal work by once again co-sponsoring the Paycheck Fairness Act in the 113th Congress. This legislation would ensure that employers do not discriminate based on gender and it will make it easier for women to pursue gender-based pay discrimination claims.

We can’t wait another 50 years to close the wage gap.

Please share this email with your friends and family. Make sure they understand how far we have come and how far we still have left to go.

In the state of Iowa we are fortunate to have a great Sen. Tom Harkin, who helped write and pass into law the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act.

And we are lucky to have another champion of disability rights here in Iowa’s Second Congressional District: Dave Loebsack.

Loebsack has fought in Washington to prevent attempts to erode the ADA. He believes that everyone, no matter what their disability, deserves a shot at a meaningful job, a good education, and the choice of living in their own community rather than in an institution.

Having a mother who struggled with mental illness, Loebsack understands how important community supports and services are to a family dealing with disabilities. Maybe that’s why he participates every year in Iowa City’s walk to raise money for NAMI (National Association for Mental Illness).

Loebsack has spoken often at ADA anniversary celebrations in his district, he is a member of the Brain Injury Caucus in Congress, and this year he was awarded the Arc of Southeast Iowa’s ADA Guardian Award for 2012.
As a person living with a disability, I will vote for Loebsack. He has earned the support of all those who believe all Americans should have the opportunity to fully participate in their community.